Hands Free Universal Hunter&#39;s Gun Support for Support of Rifle with Silent Draw and Minimal Movement to Firing Position

ABSTRACT

A universal, hands free rifle rest comprising at least one shoulder strap around the shoulder of the user and a pair of spaced J shaped rifle support members attached to the at least one shoulder strap and forming a cradle to selectively receive a rifle therein. The gun support allows a hunter to support the gun without the use of his hands in a substantially effortless manor, and in a position that the gun can be moved silently and with minimal movement to the firing position, minimizing the likelihood of losing a shooting opportunity during rifle deployment.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/488,330 filed May 20, 2011 entitled “Hands Free Universal Hunters Gun Support for Support of Rifle with Silent Draw and Minimal Movement to Firing Position.”

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a universal hunter's gun support or gun sling.

2. BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The present invention relates to gun carrying devices for use by hunters for transporting their weapons, generally rifles and the like. There have been many devices, often called gun slings, developed to simplify mainly the transportation aspects of the gun.

Numerous prior art gun slings have been developed for comfortable use over one shoulder. U.S. Des. Pat. No. 266,180 to Dickinson et al. discloses a sling that is adjustable in length and has a padded portion for engaging a shoulder at a top end thereof.

Numerous other prior art gun slings have been developed for comfortable use over two shoulders. U.S. Pat. No. 2,715,989 to Sjodin et al. discloses a shoulder harness for carrying a rifle over both shoulders. The unit suffers from placement of the adjustment buckles at the shoulder and a lack of padding, both of which can make the harness uncomfortable in use. Additionally, the stock-embracing strap can interfere with the gun operation and the harness is not meant to be used comfortably over a single shoulder when the gun is transported shorter distances.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,595,451 to Branby discloses a gun sling that can be used over one or both shoulders by use of a sliding member.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,098,441 to Cambell discloses a gun sling intended primarily as a temporary expedient may be instantly attached to a firearm and slipped over the users shoulder for transport of the firearm in that manner. The sling is of essentially one-piece construction, comprising basically a ribbon of flexible material such as woven nylon fabric that has a series of eyelets at one end thereof and a socket at the opposite end thereof.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,280,644 to Shindelka discloses a gun sling adapted for temporary attachment to, for example, rifles and shotguns, and which consists in a single, integrally molded element of flexible, resilient material having end portions adapted to engage respectively, the stock and the nozzle of the firearm, and to be maintained in elastic engagement with the firearm by means of a common strap member.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,562,945 to Erlandson discloses a sling for guns which can also be used on other articles, the sling having a strap portion fastenable on both ends to the gun or article, with each end of the strap being doubled back and secured by a sliding type fastener.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,817,835 to Tarr, Jr. discloses a gun sling that can be used over one or both shoulders by use of a long strap that is split longitudinally.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,282,558 to Martinez discloses a gun sling that can be used over one or both shoulders by use of a primary strap and an auxiliary strap.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,323,940 to Hart discloses a gun sling attachment for a butt of a gun stock includes a hanger for connecting to a flexible sling and a connector attachable to a bottom of the gun stock butt for rotatably mounting the hanger to the bottom of the gun stock butt.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,642,584 discloses a gun sling that includes a rigid body having a pivotable connector front end, a releasable connector back end, and a firearm engagement section located between the front and back ends. The rigid body is shaped to form a loop for receiving a user's shoulder once the front end is affixed to the hand grip section and the back end is affixed to the butt section.

Furthermore, the rigid body is shaped such that as the back end of the rigid body is released from the butt section and the rigid body is pivoted on the pivotable connector, the firearm engagement section is brought into contact with the firearm to allow the back end of the rigid body to be planted and thus support the firearm during firing.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,669,170 to Norris discloses a gun sling for a long gun and other articles has a belt that fits about the waist and a shoulder strap that passes over the shoulder and fastens to the belt at both ends. The shoulder strap includes two chest mounting members that hold a long gun adjacent the chest so that the user can carry the gun without using his hands.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,810,219 to Rosenfeld discloses a gun sling that uses a loop attached to a rifle at two spaced-apart points to allow carrying of the rifle in a backpack position.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,761,294 to Gann discloses a gun sling assembly that includes first and second straps with a shoulder pad there between, the straps releasably attachable to a user's belt.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,270,254 to Kakouras discloses a to a gun sling for rifles and shotguns that is comfortable and easy to use. The sling can be used to carry a gun in the ordinary manner, over one shoulder, or “backpack-style” over two shoulders.

When hunting an opportunity for a good shot at game will come around very rarely. This aspect of hunting has been described as “6 hours for 6 seconds.” If a hunter has his rifle on the ground or propped against a tree when game is spotted in a manner not conducive for a shot, the time and/or movement needed to retrieve the rifle and line up the shot can be too long and a days effort can be needlessly lost. Most gun slings are not designed to allow the gun to be easily changed from transportation mode to operational mode (i.e. firing position).

There remains a need in the art for a simple apparatus for transporting a gun that allows the hunter to quickly and easily move to a firing position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Some of the objects of the present invention are achieved with a hands free universal hunter's gun support for support of rifle with silent draw and minimal movement to firing position according to the present invention.

Some of the objects of the present invention are achieved with a hands free universal hunter's gun support for support of rifle including a pair of spaced J shaped rifle support members forming an open top cradle to selectively receive a rifle therein; a rifle rest body coupled to the J-shape rifle support members and spacing the J-shape rifle support members apart, wherein the rifle rest body forms a generally U-shaped boundary for the open top cradle; and at least one shoulder strap around the shoulder of the user coupled to the rifle rest body, configured to support the open top cradle in a substantially horizontal position.

The universal, hands free rifle rest according to the invention may provide that the rifle rest body is a fabric member, wherein the rifle rest body receives the spaced J-shape rifle support members therein. Further, the rifle rest body may include two rifle support inserting slots therein, each rifle support inserting slot configured for a user to selectively insert and remove one of the J-shape rifle support member from the rifle rest body. Further, the rifle rest body may include a waist encircling strap coupled to the rifle rest body. Additionally, each strap may include at least one buckle for adjusting the length of the associated strap

These and other advantages of the present invention will be apparent in the description of the preferred embodiments taken together in connection with the attached figures in which like reference numerals represent like elements throughout.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a front elevation schematic view of a universal, hands free rifle rest or gun support according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective schematic view of the universal, hands free rifle rest of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation schematic view of a J-frame members, also called a J shaped rifle support member, of the universal, hands free rifle rest of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top plan schematic view of an outside surface of a fabric rifle rest body of the universal, hands free rifle rest of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a top plan schematic view of an inside surface of the rifle rest body FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a schematic front elevation view of a universal, hands free rifle rest or gun support according to one embodiment of the present invention as worn by the user;

FIG. 7 is a schematic front elevation view of a universal, hands free rifle rest or gun support according to one embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 8 is a schematic front elevation view of a universal, hands free rifle rest or gun support according to one embodiment of the present invention as worn by the user with the rifle rest body removed for clarity.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

This invention is a new user worn, universal, hands free rifle rest 10 or gun support and has a primary object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a device of this character which is quickly adjustable for use on various rifles 5 as schematically illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7. As described in greater detail below, the universal, hands free rifle rest 10 comprises a pair of spaced J shaped rifle support members 12 forming an open top cradle to selectively receive a rifle 5 therein; a rifle rest body 20 coupled to the J-shape rifle support members 12 and spacing the J-shape rifle support members apart 12, wherein the rifle rest body 20 forms a generally U-shaped boundary for the open top cradle; and at least one shoulder strap 12 around the shoulder of the user coupled to the rifle rest body 20, configured to support the open top cradle in a substantially horizontal position.

The universal is used herein to reference a rifle rest or gun support 10 that is not limited to a specific brand of weapon. The rifle rest 10 of the present invention is usable with substantially any available rifle 5, it is only necessary for the rifle 5 to be able to be received within the open cradle.

The phrase “hands free” as associated with the rifle rest 10 is not intended to exclude the use of hands, but convey that hands are not required to support the rifle 5 within the rifle rest 10 in operation.

The J-shape rifle support members 12 are best illustrated in FIG. 3 and are generally ¼″ steel metal strips about 10-15″ in length, typically a little over 12′, and about 1-½ inch in width. The J-shape rifle support members 12 are bent in a horseshoe or J-shaped structure as shown. The J shape of the J-shape rifle support members 12 will typically have the back of the rifle rest 10 that is against the user be of a longer leg length of the “J”, however it is possible to form a rifle rest 10 of the present invention with legs of the J being of equal length, thus the “J-shape” as used herein is intended to include this “equal leg length” possibility. These J-shape rifle support members 12, also called hooks, form the supporting frame for the rifle rest 10

A rifle rest body 20 is coupled to the J-shape rifle support members 12 and is used to space the J-shape rifle support members 12 apart. The rifle rest body 20 may be formed of a fabric construction, having an exterior surface 22 and an interior surface 24. The exterior 22 may be of heavy duty construction, such as canvas and may include camouflage patterns on a portion thereof to assist the hunters. Any camouflage pattern could be utilized such as the RealTree® brand, the Mossy Oak® brand or the OakTree™ brand, or any desired pattern. Further the user may add additional covering camouflage as desired, to conform to the particular environment and season. The interior surface 24 can be made of suitable durable material, such as a heavy duty fleece. A fleece forming the inner surface 24 will prevent damage to the supported rifle 5. Further a fleece forming the inner surface 24 will minimize sound from use of the rifle rest 10 in the field from placing the rifle 5 into and, more critically, pulling the rifle 5 out of the open toped cradle formed by the combined J-shape rifle support members 12 and rifle rest body 20 which selectively support the rifle 5 in operation.

A perimeter binding or edging will couple the inner surface or layer 24 and the outer surface or layer 22. Further, foam cushioning members may be provided within the rifle rest body 20 to further cushion the rifle 5 and minimize associated sound. The rifle rest body 20 can be formed of a wide variety of dimensions. Typically the width of rifle rest body 20 will be about 10″ to about 15″, with 13.5″ shown in the illustrated example. Typically the length, or height, of rifle rest body 20 will be about 10″ to about 18″, with 14.5″ shown.

The rifle rest body 20 is coupled to the J-shape rifle support members 12 and is used to space the J-shape rifle support members 12 apart by receiving the J-shape rifle support members 12 within the body 20 between the inner surface 24 and the outer surface 22, possibly between foam cushioning if used. The body 20 includes two rifle support inserting slots 26 therein, each rifle support inserting slot 26 configured for a user to selectively insert and remove one of the J-shape rifle support member 12 from the rifle rest body 20. This allows the user to remove and wash the body 20, or assist in storage, or replace as needed. FIGS. 4 and 5 show the body 20 with the support members 12 removed allowing the body 20 to lay flat as shown. With the inserted spaced support member 12 inside the body 20, the body 20 forms a generally U-shaped or J-shaped boundary for the open top cradle formed by support members 12. The phrase “open top” references that the rifle 5 is inserted into and taken out of the body 20 from above.

The rifle rest 10 of the invention includes at least one user strap 14 coupled to the support member 20, such as at least one shoulder strap 14 configured to extend around the shoulder of the user coupled to the rifle rest body 20, configured to support the open top cradle in a substantially horizontal position. The phrase “substantially horizontal position” referencing the operable position of the body 20 will reference supporting the rifle 5 such that the axis of the rifle 5 is supported in use of the rest 10 within about 45 degrees of horizontal.

The shoulder strap 14 is secured to the top edge of the body 20 such as by stitching. The rifle rest 10 may further including a waist encircling strap 14 coupled to the rifle rest body 20 along the sides of the body 20 as shown. Each strap 14 may further include at least one buckle 16 for adjusting the length of the associated strap 14. The buckles 16 may be formed as length adjusting members known in the strap art, or two piece releasing buckles which also incorporate a strap adjusting member, also well known in the strap art. In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1-5 each strap 14 includes one of each conventional type of adjusting member buckle 16.

FIG. 6 is a schematic front elevation view of a universal, hands free rifle rest 10 or gun support according to one embodiment of the present invention as worn by the user, showing the rest 10 in operation supporting a rifle 5 substantially horizontally. FIG. 7 is a schematic front elevation view of a universal, hands free rifle rest 10 or gun support according to one embodiment of the present invention and in this embodiment the shoulder strap 14 is connected directly to the j shaped support members 12 rather than through the body 20, also known as a cover. FIG. 8 is a schematic front elevation view of a universal, hands free rifle rest 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention as worn by the user, with the rifle rest body 20 removed for clarity.

As apparent from the description and drawings, the rifle rest or gun support 10 comprises of one or two adjustable straps 14 which are suspended from one or both shoulders of the user. These straps 12 extend from the shoulders and possibly the waist of the user and are connected to the two J shape supporting members 12, directly or through the body 20. The straps 12 may include detachable buckles 16 which allow the rifle rest 10, to be attached or detached.

A single over the shoulder strap 12 can be used and is believed to be the simplest implementation of the invention. Two independent straps forming two shoulder loops are also possible. Further the waist encircling strap 12 could be used with the single shoulder strap 12 as shown or with the dual shoulder strap embodiment to provide further secure attachment to the user. However, the single shoulder strap, as opposed to the double shoulder strap version, is believed to be the most economical and simplest deployment and allows for easy user manipulation.

An additional cloth may be added to the body 20 for a flap, to protect the rifle scope and or rifle actions. The rifle rest 10 is preferably used on the chest area of the individual to support any rifle 5. This rest 10 allows hands free support and easy removal for rifle 5 discharge with a silent draw and minimal movement to the firing position.

The gun support or rest 10 of the present invention will allow a hunter to support the gun 5 without the use of his hands in a substantially effortless manor, and in a position that the gun 5 can be moved silently and with minimal movement to the firing position, minimizing the likelihood of losing a shooting opportunity during rifle 5 deployment.

Although the present invention has been described with particularity herein, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that various modifications may be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. The scope of the invention is not to be limited by the illustrative examples described above. The scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereto. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A universal, hands free rifle rest comprising at least one shoulder strap around the shoulder of the user and a pair of spaced J shaped rifle support members attached to the at least one shoulder strap and forming a cradle to selectively receive a rifle therein.
 2. The universal, hands free rifle rest according to claim 1 further including a rifle rest body coupled to the spaced J-shape rifle support members.
 3. The universal, hands free rifle rest according to claim 2 wherein the rifle rest body is a fabric member coupled to the spaced J-shape rifle support members.
 4. The universal, hands free rifle rest according to claim 3 wherein the fabric rifle rest body receives the spaced J-shape rifle support members therein.
 5. The universal, hands free rifle rest according to claim 4 wherein the at least one shoulder strap is coupled to the pair of spaced J shaped rifle support members through the fabric rifle rest body.
 6. The universal, hands free rifle rest according to claim 5 wherein the fabric rifle rest body included two rifle support inserting slots therein, each rifle support inserting slot configured for a user to selectively insert and remove one of the J-shape rifle support member from the fabric rifle rest body.
 7. The universal, hands free rifle rest according to claim 6 further including a waist encircling strap coupled to the fabric rifle rest body.
 8. The universal, hands free rifle rest according to claim 7 wherein each strap includes at least one buckle for adjusting the length of the associated strap.
 9. A universal, hands free rifle rest comprising: a pair of spaced J shaped rifle support members forming an open top cradle to selectively receive a rifle therein; a rifle rest body coupled to the J-shape rifle support members and spacing the J-shape rifle support members apart ; and at least one shoulder strap around the shoulder of the user coupled to the rifle rest body.
 10. The universal, hands free rifle rest according to claim 9 wherein the rifle rest body is a fabric member.
 11. The universal, hands free rifle rest according to claim 9 wherein the rifle rest body receives the spaced J-shape rifle support members therein.
 12. The universal, hands free rifle rest according to claim 11 wherein the rifle rest body included two rifle support inserting slots therein, each rifle support inserting slot configured for a user to selectively insert and remove one of the J-shape rifle support member from the rifle rest body.
 13. The universal, hands free rifle rest according to claim 12 further including a waist encircling strap coupled to the rifle rest body.
 14. The universal, hands free rifle rest according to claim 13 wherein each strap includes at least one buckle for adjusting the length of the associated strap.
 15. A universal, hands free rifle rest comprising: a pair of spaced J shaped rifle support members forming an open top cradle to selectively receive a rifle therein; a rifle rest body coupled to the J-shape rifle support members and spacing the J-shape rifle support members apart, wherein the rifle rest body forms a generally U-shaped boundary for the open top cradle; and at least one shoulder strap around the shoulder of the user coupled to the rifle rest body, configured to support the open top cradle in a substantially horizontal position.
 16. The universal, hands free rifle rest according to claim 15 wherein the rifle rest body is a fabric member.
 17. The universal, hands free rifle rest according to claim 15 wherein the rifle rest body receives the spaced J-shape rifle support members therein.
 18. The universal, hands free rifle rest according to claim 17 wherein the rifle rest body included two rifle support inserting slots therein, each rifle support inserting slot configured for a user to selectively insert and remove one of the J-shape rifle support member from the rifle rest body.
 19. The universal, hands free rifle rest according to claim 18 further including a waist encircling strap coupled to the rifle rest body.
 20. The universal, hands free rifle rest according to claim 19 wherein each strap includes at least one buckle for adjusting the length of the associated strap. 